Zimbabwe

The Carter Center has maintained a long-standing interest in Zimbabwe, and sought to conduct election observation missions in 2013, 2018, and 2023.

Short-term Goals

We remain committed to assisting Zimbabwe in strengthening its democratic processes.

Impact

Documented critical shortcomings that undermined the credibility of the 2023 election process and published a detailed report of our findings.

Carter Center Issues Final Report on 2023 Zimbabwean Elections

Press Release
Feb. 12, 2024

Final Report: Election Observation Mission to the Zimbabwe Harmonized Elections, Aug 23-24, 2023 (PDF)

Report
Feb. 12, 2024

Carter Center Finds Deep Flaws in Zimbabwe Elections and Calls for Release of Polling-Station Level Results

Press Release, Statement
Aug. 31, 2023

Legacy

Democracy

Zimbabwe became a breadbasket for the region before the onset of the country’s economic crisis and hyperinflation. As the prospects for strengthening democratic institutions declined over the years, we sought ways to help by proposing election observation missions in 2013, 2018, and 2023.

Our Work and Methods

In 2013, the Center was denied accreditation to observe Zimbabwe’s elections, which opponents of President Robert Mugabe claimed were rigged.

In 2018, we deployed an expert mission to observe the country’s harmonized elections, but the government limited the observers’ work.

In 2023, the Center was invited to observe the August elections but accreditation for 30 short-term observers was denied after they had arrived in the country.

Impacts

Though denied access to fully observe the 2023 elections, the Center documented critical shortcomings and gaps that undermined the credibility of the process.

More information about this election is available in our reports section.